First, I want to thank everyone for all of your informative contributions to Paddlewise. I like the notion of Paddlewise as a marketplace for ideas, just like economic markets bring the best products and services to the forefront. For 25 years I ran framing crews, and found that my back muscles were getting too strong relative to my Abs, so I did lots of situps to balance the Abs=no probs. Now, its the other way round, with WW & SK padling in summer and mostly SK paddling in winter and situps, my Abs are the stronger. Maybe this balance theory (back vs abs) is out of date? I was wondering what a Bulgarian pushup is? Are there any other back exercises that have helped. Recently, I ripped out the factory seatback on my Northwest, and replaced it with a 6" wide sea kayak backband made by Rapid-Pulse, (www.rapid-pulse.com) in Colorado here. I should have done that _before_ taking a 600-mile trip in Baja last winter, with 20nm days. It makes a huge difference in back comfort. Perhaps, to complement all the discussion of fine technical points of boats, we could use a thread on training and maintaining the human machine that powers our craft. Doug, I hope your able to get your back in condition soon for paddling. Regards, Jay Gingrich Alma, CO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jay G wrote: > <snip> > > For 25 years I ran framing crews, and found that my back muscles were > getting too strong relative to my Abs, so I did lots of situps to > balance the Abs=no probs. Now, its the other way round, with WW & SK > padling in summer and mostly SK paddling in winter and situps, my Abs > are the stronger. Maybe this balance theory (back vs abs) is out of > date? I was wondering what a Bulgarian pushup is? Are there any other > back exercises that have helped. I got a ton of info last time I poster my back woes. Most of it was back-channel, and most of it involved stretching, not actual "exercise" or weight bearing type activities, though there are lots. The Bulgarian pushup is a very good exercise for paddlers. My problem was I wasn't ready to push so hard with it and other exercises that I was given. Once one's back has untenderized, this exercise is a life long one for paddlers, according to my guy. To do the exercise, it is best to get a mat. Lie down on it, belly down. Then place your elbows out in front of you, elbows down on the ground (mat) and shoulder width apart, hands in front of your forehead, placed together like you a praying (for a good back!). Knees come off the ground as you raise your belly up, just like to start a normal pushup. Rather than pushing on your hands and lifting your chest up and down like a normal pushup, you just keep weight on your elbows and toes, and only move so that you lower your belly almost to the ground then raise your butt alternately up high into the air, with an arched back -up and down, up and down. Concentrate on keeping your glut muscles tight, just like when you have had too many beans to eat, if you know what I mean. Then simply do 3 to 4 sets of 15 to 30, with good rest between sets. The further out one places their elbows on the mat, the greater the effect of the exercise. I currently walk after evening supper every night which helps, continue to be careful of posture, and continue with back and lower extremity stretches. I will continue to pursue various medical options, and of course, keep taking over-the-counter drugs. I may have to be content with some normal paddling, which is no problem if I keep a bit of discipline. I'm not an idiot, despite what seems like an over-the- top bent on my PW postings. > > > Recently, I ripped out the factory seatback on my Northwest, and > replaced it with a 6" wide sea kayak backband made by Rapid-Pulse, > (www.rapid-pulse.com) in Colorado here. I should have done that > _before_ taking a 600-mile trip in Baja last winter, with 20nm days. It > makes a huge difference in back comfort. Everybody is different, but I concur with what you have done, especially if you want a bit more of a sportier feel. > > > Perhaps, to complement all the discussion of fine technical points of > boats, we could use a thread on training and maintaining the human > machine that powers our craft. I once wrote to SK to thank them for their Yoga for Kayaking articles. I hope they run more of that kind of stuff. Normally we don't have PW web sites for the kind of thing you propose, unless someone "captures" a thread or series of threads on a given subject or submits something (we could fill a library on rudders vs skegs vs nada thing but paddle). > > > Doug, I hope your able to get your back in condition soon for paddling. > Regards, Thanks Jay. After my Chiro appointment yesterday, I posted a few things on PW, brushed my teeth, bent down to pick up my cycling shoes for the morn', and promptly threw my back out again. I could not move for about 4 minutes. Don't want to be at sea in a Nordkapp if that happens. When I get this back stuff all figured out, I may put something together for SK and PW subsequently, if I can get appropriate endorsement from some experts. SIDE NOTE - Speaking of idiots, the other day three men took their wooden runabout and chased and jumped waves off the back of a big fast moving whale watching boat, just near here off Victoria. The boat disintegrated in the pounding. Two of them could not swim. No one was wearing PFDs. The whalewatcher boat turned around just in time to pluck the three men up. One was swearing and cussing the loss of his beer. Now those guys were idiots! BC'in Ya Doug Lloyd *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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